Milker



Jan. 20, 1959 T. w. MERRITT ET AL 2,869,512

MILKER Oiginal Filed June 24, 1955 2 Sl'xeets-SheeiI l Jall- 20, 1959 T. W. MERRITT ETAL 2,869,512

MILKER Original Filed June 24, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MILKER Thomas W. Merritt, St. Charles, and Chester A. Thomas,

Lake Forest, Ill., assignors to Babson Bros. Co., a corporation of Illinois Original application June 24, 1955, Serial No. 517,842.

7 Claims. (Cl. 119-14.46)

Thisinvention is concerned with milking apparatus and-more particularly with milk receiving apparatus for use 1n carry-away milking systems.

This application is a division of our copending application, Serial No. 517,842, which matured into Patent No. 2,831,456.-

, The term carry-away milk system is generally used to refer to those systems in which milk passes directly from milk withdrawing apparatus attached to an animal mto a conduit or pipe line through which it ilows, usually under the influence of vacuum and gravity, to a delivery point, which may be common milk cans, a refrigerated tank, pasteurizing apparatus or the like. In some cases a pump is utilized to Yforce the milk on through a portion of the system. Carry-away systems are to be co-ntrasted with bucket milkers in which a milk-receiving bucket is either suspended beneath the animal 'or positioned on the oor adjacent the animal'.

The milk contacted portions of carry-away milking systems, as all other apparatus used in milking, must be washed and sterilized thoroughly following each use; and at the present time the trend is toward the use of inplace washing systems for milk carry-away pipe lines and at least part of the associated milk handling apparatus. It is Ia principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved milk receiver for use with carryaway milk handling systems and particularly adapted for in-place washing.

One feature is the provision of a milker lid including an upwardly extending, arcuate forward wall portion, a at top portion, .and a plurality of nipples defining milk passageways and adapted to be connected to the milk tubes of a plurality of teat cup assemblies, secured to and eX- tending from the arcuate portion and adjacent the top portion. Yet a further feature is that the lid has a top including a generally planar forward portion, a generally planar rear portion spaced below the forward portion and a transversely extending inclined portion joining the two planar portions.

Further features and advantages will readily be apparent from the following specification and from the drawings, in which:

i Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a cow in a milking parl-or, showing milk receiving apparatus of the present inventionin use; and

. Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the milk receiving apparatus of Figure l taken longitudinally through the upper portion of the lid and transversely through the rest of the apparatus.

Carry-away milk pipe line systems have been known and used for many years, and in the l'ast ten years or so have gained greatly in popularity. This increased use is due at least in part to the trend toward larger dairy herds and the demand for labor-saving devices. With early carry-away milking systems it was necessary that the entire system be disassembled for washing following each milking; i. e., the sections of the pipe line had to be taken 2,869,512 Ice Patented-Jan. 20, '1959 2 down and scrubbed with brushes to insure cleanliness. Recently, systems have been developed with which the milk pipe lines and much of the associated apparatus may be washed without disassembly. Such systems are sometimes referred to as cleaned-in-place or CIP systems. In these systems, the desired washing solutions, as rinse water, detergent or sanitizing solutions, are circulatedl through the pipe line and other `apparatus by means of vacuum, pumps or a combination of the two.

Prior to the present invention it was necessary that the milk receiving apparatus, such as that shown in Thomas Patents 2,706,965 and 2,709,416, be completely disassembled and washed by hand separately from the rest of the system, in order to insure that it was properly cleaned. This was due largely to the fact that there are cracks and crevices in such prior milk receiving apparatus which are not adequately cleaned by a ow of water through the unit.

Turning n-ow to Figure 1 of the drawings, a milking parlor stall, comprising upright members 10 joined by horizontal members 11 is shown. The cow 12 stands on an elevated floor or cow alley 13 which may be two to three feet above the lloor 14 of the operators alley, the two floors being joined by a vertical wall 15. The single stall structure and aligned arrangement of the cow floor and operators alley are shown for purposes of simplicity and in practice stalls such as those shown in Babson et al. Patent 2,477,035 or Thomas Patent 2,692,577 might be used.

The milking apparatus, indicated generally as 16, includes four teat cup units 17 secured to milk receiving apparatus 18. A pulsator 19 is mounted on top of the milk receiving apparatus and is connected through a hose 20 to a vacuum line 21. The milk withdrawing apparatus has connected to the bottom thereof a milk hose 22 connected to an evacuated milkcarry-away pipe line 23. The milk withdrawing apparatus is carried beneath the animal by supporting mechanism indicated generally as 25 and including a vertically movable post 26 to which is secured an inwardly extending arm 27 which carries at its inner end a rearwardly extending arm 28 to which is connected the milk withdrawing apparatus. A spring 29 urges the first arm 27 forwardly, providing a forward component of pull on the animals teats, while post 26 is adjusted to provide a downward pull. Further details of the supporting arrangement may be found in Babson Re. 22,368. A leg 30 on the bottom of milk withdrawing apparatus prevents the teat cups from touching the oor should they accidentally become disengaged. i

The milk receiver has .a capacity sufficient to hold all of the milk delivered from the cow in a single pulsation; as at least a pint and preferably of the order of one or one and a half quarts. This permits the milk to separate from the ends of the milk tubes, preventing milk from washing back .around the teats when the inflations expand.

Following the milking operatiom the milking system lmay readily be converted for washing by making suitable connections with a source of washing solution. Details of several washing systems are shown in Merritt application, Serial No. 485,773, filed Feb. 2, 1955, and Thomas application, Serial No. 435,812, filed June 10, 1954, and reference may be had thereto for further information regarding these systems. t

Turning now to Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the milking apparatus indicated generally as 18 includes a bowl unit 35 and a base unit 36. The bowl unit 35 has a bowl 4), of transparent glass material, through which the llow of milk may be observed and having an open top and bottom 40a and 40b respectively. A lid member 41 is provided with a plurality of nippies' 42 over which the milk tubes of the teat cup inflations are secured. Extending peripherally along the lower edge of lid member 41 is a bar ring 43 which is welded tova vertically extending portion of the lid. An externals'h'oulder 46- is'formed 'adjacentthe openlower end of bowl 40? and adapted toreceive an annular clamp- 1ng:ring.47,which is spaced from the bowl 4t) by aresilient. cushion pad 4S, to prevent breakage of the bowl. A resilient gasket 44v is interposed between the bar ring 43 and thev open topof bowl 4G, and the entire assembly issecured together in liquid-tight engagement by a pair oftie bolts 45. Tie bolts45 are provided at their upper ends with inwardly extending ears 45a which are riveted to the ends ofv the bolts and' which have formed therein small depressions 4511, adapted to mate with protuberances43a on the uppersurface of bar ring 43. The lower ends ofthe tie rods extend through openings provided iny clamping ring' 47 and knurlednuts 5@ permit the bowlA unit to be.' dismantled when necessary, as to replace gasket 44.

The base unit 36' of the milk receiving apparatus comprises a cup-shaped base member 55 which has secured thereto a nipple 56 to which is. connected the evacuated carry-away milk hose 22. Base member 55 is generally cup-shaped in cross section andV is provided with an inwardly directed, internal annular shoulder. 57 on which isremovably carried an apertured filter supporting plate 58.' Carried on the plate 58 is a filter element 59', preferably of a cotton liber material. The filter member 59 istslightly larger in diameter than the diameter of base member 55v and when properly positioned therein extends upwardly around the peripheral rim 6l of the base member. The lilter is securely held in the base member by anannular springv clamp 6i), which extends slightly less than-al1l the way around the interior of the base member and urges the lilterV outwardly against the upstanding rim 61. Thev spring clamp is provided with upwardly and inwardly directed looped end portions 66a by means of which it may be graspedand removed from the base memberpermitting'removal of the filter.

A- bar ring 62 is welded to the' outside of the rim portion 61 of basemember 55; and a resilient gasket 63 is interposed between'bar 62V and the open bottom 49h of theibowl member. A pair of eye bolts 64- are pivotaily carried by clamping ring 47 and are movable into longitudinal slots 65a formed in ears 65 secured to the bottom of basemember 55. Knurled knobs 64a removably secure base unit 36 to bowl unit 35 and in duid-tight engagement therewith.

Several features of the milk receiving apparatus 13 particularly adapt it for CIP washing operations, the apparatus being thoroughlycleaned by a flow of washing solution therethrough. This eliminates the necessity for completely disassembling the milk receiving apparatus for Washing by hand.

. First, gaskets 44 and 63 are what are termed fins-h gaskets. That is, when the various elements of the apparatus are securedtogether in liquid-tight relationship, the inner surface of the bottom of lid 4l, the inner surface of gasket 44'and the inner surface of the open upper portion 40a of the bowl form a smooth unbroken surface, with no crevices in which milk may become lodged. The same relationship holds true for the inner surfaces of base member 55, gasket 63 and the open bottom 44.31) ofthe bowl.

In order to accomplish this, the gaskets 44 and 63, which are preferablyof'a synthetic rubber material, are formed so that in unstresse/d condition the innersurfaces thereof are slightly concave, whereby when the gasket is compressed, the inner surface forms a straight line jo-iningthe inner surfaces ofthe adjacent members.

Gaskets 44and63 are both provided with upstanding annularV tongues 44a and 63a respectively, which engage with..mating grooves 43a,40a, 4Gb and 62a, in bar ring 43`,.the..topandfbottom.surfaces of bowl 40`andV ban ring iv 62, respectively, to facilitate proper alignment of the cle'- -mentsof the apparatus" duringl assembly. Thisu insures that the inner surface of the assembled apparatus will be free from crevices in which milk might lodge.

The independent securing means for fastening base member 55 to the bowl-unit 35y permits opening of thev base unit after milking and before start of the washing operation, without completely disassembling the apparatus. This allows removal of the filter, a necessary step before washing, without the danger of getting milk on most surfaces which are not contacted by the washing solutions when the unit is assembled. If, during the removal of the filter, some milk should accidentally get' on the mating surfaces of gasket 63, basemember or the bottom of the bowl, it may easily be rinsed otf before the elements are reassembled prior tof washing.

The lid 4l is provided with an upstanding arcuate portion 4in at the forward edge thereof (the termforward being here used to indicate that portion of the lid 'which faces toward theV rear'of tlie animal' being milked, andvr arcuate being in cross'sectiori as seen-in-Fig 2) and lan' arcuate rear portion 41b. The top of the' lid includes a planar forward portion`41'c` joined with the upstanding' arcuate portion 41a, and a planar rear portion 41`d,joine`d with arcuate rear portion41b, but'ona plane below portion 4ta. The two planar portions 41e` and 41dl ofth'e" top surface of the milker lidV are'joined along a transverse, inclined portion 41e' which extends completelyl across the lid. Secured` to and extending upwardly.'y from the top portion 41's' is` a p'o'st 68 which may4 be secured to the end of milker support' 4arm 28. Proiecting upfvardiy from the lower' levelV 41d of lid top portion is a pulsatorl support post 69, whichcarriesl pulsator i9; The twolevel lid provides adequatespace on upstanding arcuate portion 41a`-for the securing there# to of nipples 42 while also providing-sufficient clearancebetween the top of pulsatorV 19and support arm 28', permitting adjustment'andwlubricationof-the pulsator with? out removing it from the apparatus.

Nipples 42 are secured-tothearcuate'forward portion- 41a'of the lid so that the bore 42a thereof enters throughvv the lid, tangent to the underside of the top of the lid. (In practice, the nipples are welded to the solidv surfacefof the lid and then the hole is drilled through the lid surf face). ln many CIP washing systems,y av reservoir ortank for washing solution is provided and in'cludes-a2rack`-y in whichthe milk` withdrawing apparatus is suspended during washing (see aforementioned Merritt application,` Serial No. 485,773). These racks are so designed thatv the milking apparatus issuspended with the forward por-y tion of the lid lowerm'ost and the teat cup assemblies' hang down into the washing solution. If the nipplesf421 were not secured to the `lid as shown and described,with the milk passagewaysentcring the lid'on the arcnatefor' ward portion thereof and adjacent the'top surface, wash' ing solution might become trapped within the'appara'tus,l and contaminate the milk during the next milking.l

All of the inner concave corners of the lid, as at 4'1f, 41g and 41h have a radius of at least one-quartervinch. This facilitates proper cleaning of the llidby the circulation of the washing solutionrthrough theapparatus, eliminating any need for-manual scrubbing"offsmallcrevices.

While we have shown and described certain ernbodii4 ments of our invention, it'is to' be understood that'itis`V capable of many modifications. Changes therefore, in the construction and arrangementV may be'made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionfas' disclosed in the appendedclims.

We claim:

1. A lid of thecharaeterdescribedforamilker; iii-' l iining milk passagewa'ys adapted toA be* connected to' the" 5` to and extending from said arcuate portion and tangent to said top portion.

2. A lid of the character described for a milker, comprising: an upwardly extending arcuate forward wall portion; a at top portion having an undersurface; and a plurality of nipples each having a bore defining a milk passageway and adapted to be connected to the milk tubes of teat cup assemblies, said nipples being secured to said forward wall portion and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom, said forward wall portion having openings therein aligned with the bores of said nipples and tangent to the undersurface of said at top portion.

3. A lid of the character described for a milker including: an upwardly extending, arcuate forward wall portion; an arcuate rear wall portion; a top including a generally planar forward portion joined with said forward wall, a generally planar rear portion spaced below and parallel with said forward portion and joined with said rear wall, and a transversely extending inclined portion joining said two planar portions; means on the forward portion of said top for connection with a milker support; and means on the rear portion of said top for mounting a pulsator.

4. A lid of the character described for a milker including: an upwardly extending, arcuate forward wall portion; an arcuate rear wall portion of lesser upward extent than said forward wall portion; a top including a generally planar forward portion joined with said forward wall, a generally planar rear portion spaced below and parallel with said forward portion and joined with said rear wall, and a transversely extending inclined portion joining said two planar portions; a first upwardly extending element on the forward port-ion of said top for connection with a milker support; and a second upwardly extending element on the rear portion of said top for mounting a pulsator.

5. A lid of the character described for a milker, comprising: an upwardly extending arcuate forward wall; an arcuate rear wall; a top including a generally planar forward portion joined with said forward wall, a generally planar rear portion below and parallel with said forward portion joined with said rear wall, and a single trans- 5 versely extending inclined portion joining said tw planar portions; and a plurality of nipples for connection with the milk tubes of teat cup assemblies, the milk passageway defined by said nipples entering said lid adjacent the top surface thereof, and all concave inner corners of said lid having a radius at least of the order of onequarter inch.

6. A lid of the character described for a milker, comprising: an upwardly extending arcuate forward wall; an arcuate rear wall; a top including a generally planar forward portion joined with said forward wall; a generally planar rear portion below and parallel with said forward portion, joined with said rear wall, and a single transversely extending inclined portion joining said two planar f portions; and a plurality of nipples for connection with the milk tubes of teat cup assemblies, the milk passageway defined by said nipples entering said lid adjacent the top surface thereof, the junctures of the forward wall and the forward portion of the top, of the rear wall and the rear portion of the top, and of the forward portion of the top and the transversely extending inclined portion thereof each having a radius at least of the order of onequarter inch.

7. A lid of the character described for a milker including: an upwardly extending arcuate forward wall portion; an arcuate rear wall portion; a top including a generallyvplanar forward portion joined with said forward wall, a generally planar rear portion spaced below and parallel with said forward portion and joined with said rear wall, and a transversely extending inclined portion joining said two planar portions; and a bar ring secured to the lower portion of the outside of the forward and rear wall portions for mating engagement with a sealing gasket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,735,399 Henrard Feb. 21, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 628,600 Great Britain Sept. 1, 1949 

